Schuetter holding on decision after Seitz's reelection refusal

Democratic challenger Wayne Schuetter challenged Mayor Terry Seitz to take part in a special election Monday at the Jasper Train Depot. Schuetter and Seitz tied for the mayoral spot with 1,856 votes each during the November election. The recount commission threw a vote for Schuetter out last week handing the election to Seitz.

Wayne Schuetter had stated he would let the public know what his next step would be if Mayor Terry Seitz refused to participate in another election to break the tie in the Jasper Mayor’s Race.

Schuetter had challenged Seitz based on his view that throwing out the ballot on the lack of a set of initials was unconstitutional and continued to blight the city’s name in regards to the recent tie in the mayoral race. During a press conference held the Monday before Christmas, he stated he would not make his intentions regarding the commission’s decision known until Tuesday of this week.

Seitz was handed the election by a single vote when the recount commission threw out a single ballot due to a technicality. The same day Schuetter challenged Seitz to a new election, the mayor declined saying there was no legal basis for a reelection.

“There is no legal precedent for holding a special election under the circumstances with which we are currently presented,” Seitz said last Monday. “In addition, the time and cost involved in a special election would be burdensome on the taxpayers of Jasper. A special election under the law is not warranted, nor will I agree to one.”

Jasper Mayor Terry Seitz said it was time to move forward and refused to take part in a special election as requested by his opponent in the municipal election, Wayne Schuetter. The two tied with 1,856 votes each. That tie was pushed to Seitz's favor after a recount commission threw out a ballot for improper signatures. — Jasper Mayor Terry Seitz said it was time to move forward and refused to take part in a special election as requested by his opponent in the municipal election, Wayne Schuetter. The two tied with 1,856 votes each. That tie was pushed to Seitz’s favor after a recount commission threw out a ballot for improper signatures.

During Schuetter’s press conference earlier that day, he admitted he was prepared to be the poster boy in challenging the state law that requires a ballot to be thrown out if it is not properly endorsed by a bipartisan team prior to it being mailed or delivered to citizens voting absentee or through a travel board.

Today, Schuetter acknowledged in a phone interview with the Free Press he had planned on making his decision known but had decided to hold off on the decision as he examines the issue. He has until January 21 to appeal the decision made by the recount commission.

If he appeals it, the decision will be put in special judge Dean Sobecki’s hands. If the judge affirms the commission’s decision, Schuetter can still appeal through the higher courts.